Heir of Broken Fate: Chapter 8

After knocking, I stroll into the nurse’s quarters. Seeing Annie settled behind her desk has the corner of my lips turning up. Her face brightens as she smiles. “Hello gorgeous, how are you feeling today?”

“Feeling much better, thank you. I was actually wondering if you wanted to come for a stroll in the garden with me. Possibly have some lunch by the river?” I ask, lifting the woven basket, containing the pre-packed lunch I asked the kitchen to prepare.

“Of course, I’d love to!” she exclaims, jumping up from her seat. She grabs a black-wooled coat off the rack against the wall, wrapping it around herself. “After you.”

We’re silent as we leave the nurse’s quarters, not daring to speak with the number of eyes and ears in the palace. The only sound that fills the empty corridor is the heels of our shoes as we move along to the northern gardens, a more private area not traveled.

Reaching the far end of the gardens, the palace a small blip behind us, I lay the white-and-black checkered blanket on the grass.

Annie lowers herself to the ground, crossing her legs as she gazes at the vast forest before us. “Easton already said his goodbyes this morning,” she says quietly.

My head whips toward her. “You already know?” I breathe.

“The specifics? No. Easton said it was better that way. However, I do know that this surprise lunch isn’t happening purely because you enjoy my company,” she teases.

I lower my eyes to the food before me. “You know I enjoy your company. Nevertheless, you’re right, it is a goodbye.” I lift my eyes to hers, rushing on. “A temporary goodbye.”

Annie finally slides her gaze to me, the golden rings around her pupils sparkling as they shimmer with silver. “It’s about time.”

“I’m not leaving permanently,” I scoff. “I could never be that selfish.”

Annie clicks her tongue. “I would, and you should.”

“I can’t do that to my people.”

Annie places her soft hand on mine. “It’s useless while your father reigns. Nobody can stop him; anything short of killing him will fail.”

Her words ring true. People have tried to overthrow my father and kill him in the past. Those who attempted have either been found dead, floating in the Claremont River, or vanished mysteriously. People grew too fearful to continue trying—another moment in history where hope was lost.

I know that I can’t do much to help, yet hearing Annie voice it out loud, that nothing would ever work against him unless he was buried in the ground, sends a pang to my heart. The people of Aloriah cannot weather these conditions for more than a year, let alone twenty to thirty, when my father will be on his death bed and I’ll be reigned queen.

My voice cracks as I speak, “So we do nothing?”

“No. We play our part.” She raises her brows. “Every retaliation counts.”

I grimace; she most certainly knows whose been responsible for freeing people over the years.

“Will you be safe?” she asks suddenly, her voice wavering.

“As safe as I can be,” I vow.

She gazes into my eyes, searching for the answers she seeks. Patting my hand, she draws back, a smile tugging on her lips. “What did you bring me?”

My own smile flourishes at that. “Cupcakes, lemon tarts, chicken sandwiches, and a fruit platter.”

Annie leans forward, peering into the basket at the item I hid for myself. My cheeks heat as she quirks a brow.

“Doughnuts,” she mutters to herself. “I awakened an addict.”

Chuckling, I hand Annie her lunch, the sound of the wind blowing through the forest filling the silence. Taking a bite of my sandwich, my heart squeezes as dread begins to fill my stomach.

“If we’re not back in a month.” My voice wavers slightly. “I want you to take Creseda and Henry and leave.” I slide my gaze to Annie’s, letting the conviction in my voice and eyes show. “Never come back. Ever.”

“Don’t have to ask me twice. The only reason I stuck around was for you two,” she chirps.

My jaw falls open. “I thought you loved your job!”

Her eyes soften. “I used to, very much.” She leans forward, tucking a strand of my dark brown hair behind my ears, the ends fluttering at my waist. “However, I don’t enjoy the reason behind why I have to attend to wounds so often.”

I close my eyes as my breathing hitches.

“I’ve never thanked—’

“Nope, no need for thank-yous.” She waves her hand in the air between us. “I know you’re grateful… Blah, blah, blah.”

I click my tongue. “Can’t we have a nice moment?”

“No, if we have too much of a nice moment, I’m afraid I’ll never see you again.” She grabs my hand and squeezes. “I plan to have many happy moments with you, Delilah.”

My throat tightens as my eyes burn. I pick up the basket beside me, shoving it between us. “Doughnut?” I ask on a wobbly smile.

After saying a tearful goodbye to Creseda, vowing that I’ll return as soon as I can while soothing her with a dozen carrots, I’m crouched behind the stable doors, Easton behind my back and whispering in my ear.

“In three, two—”

Before Easton can finish, a blast rocks the very ground below my feet, the force behind it knocking me backward into Easton’s chest. My ears ring hollow from the sound. Easton grabs my arms, wasting no time as he pulls me up, running to the other side of the stable to the hunting horse and chariot we prepared, filled with everything we stole last night.

“How much gasoline did you use?” I whisper-yell as Easton drags the stable doors open.

Rushing to the other side of the chariot, Easton and I open the doors at the same time, jumping inside. He leans forward to grab the horse’s reins.

“You told me to create a distraction big enough to have all the guards attend!”

“I didn’t say to nearly burn the damn palace down!” I snap.

The hunting horse takes off before I can continue speaking, galloping so fast I’m tossed backward into the leather seats with a grunt.

I quickly turn, looking through the glass, my eyes connecting with Creseda’s as we’re taken away. Her knowing eyes never waver from mine, even as the stable grows smaller, turning into a blip in the distance.

She will be fine, I chant to myself, over and over like a prayer.

Once all I see is the night’s forest surrounding us, I twist in my seat, jumping as the pad of Easton’s thumb wipes across my cheek. I’m surprised to find it damp as he pulls it back.

I didn’t realize I was crying.

“She’ll be all right, I promise you,” he whispers.

I swallow the thick lump in my throat as I nod. “I know, I trust you.”

Easton grasps my hand. “I have some news.”

“What is it?”

“I spoke with Cole earlier this evening. I’ve decided to choose myself.”

My eyes widen on a gasp. “Does that mean…?”

Easton dips his head as he blows out a rush of air. “I’ll be telling my father that I’m in a romantic relationship with Cole when I return.”

I fling myself at Easton, wrapping my arms around his neck as I clutch him. “I’m so proud of you, East.”

“Thank you.”

I lean back in the carriage further. “I can’t believe we left,” I say in astonishment.

“Phase one complete. Now all we have to do is find the Fae lands that have been trapped for one hundred and forty-eight years, beg them to come back, and help take your father down.” Sarcasm drips from his words as he shrugs. “Won’t be too difficult.”

“Oh, shut up and enjoy the moment. You’ve been begging me to leave for years.”

Easton’s smile grows so large it takes up half his face. “I’m so happy we’re finally leaving.”

“It’s not forever,” I remind him.

“I know, I know. I’m just happy to get you away from the palace, even for a day.”

I take his hand in mine. “Thank you. For coming, for always being there for me, thank you. I truly don’t thank you enough…for everything you do for me.”

“Together forever,” he promises, kissing the back of my hand.

“Together forever,” I vow.

Turning his body to the side, one knee up on the seat, he faces me. “So do you think dragons are still alive?”

My head falls back on a laugh. “What is with your obsession with dragons!”

“They’re dragons!” He beams. “Not only do they fly, but some have powers!”

“I think everything has magic over there, anything with a life force,” I say, remembering a passage from one of the Fae books.

His face drains of color. “Even trees?”

Laughter booms out of me. “Are you afraid of trees?” I ask incredulously.

“If they snatch you up while walking, yes!”

“How adorable, my trusty protector, afraid of trees,” I say, giggling.

His eyes glint with mischief. “You’re laughing now but if a tree snatches you up, I’d bet gold that you’d soil yourself.”

I gasp. “That was one time, and I was eight!”

“Age is nothing but a number. You soiled yourself.”

I raise my brows in challenge. “Do I need to remind you of the horse manure incident?”

Easton’s eyes grow so large I see the whites of his eyes. “No, we’re good.”

“That’s what I thought.” I smirk, satisfaction shining in my eyes.

“You’re evil.” He laughs, planting a kiss on the top of my head.

Chuckling, I lay my head on his shoulder, the adrenaline that was pumping through my body as we left finally dissipating. Easton’s warmth comforts me as my eyes grow heavy, and then sleep pulls me under.

“Delilah! DELILAH!”

Jolting at Easton’s voice screaming in my ear, I awake to his face in front of mine as white as a ghost, his chest rising and falling rapidly as his hands tremble on my shoulder.

I sit up so fast I knock him backward. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

The next words he utters stop my heart completely, my stomach dropping from my body as my blood turns cold.

“Your father’s here.”

My body begins running on autopilot. I don’t consciously tell my feet to move, yet I start descending the carriage stairs. My breath hitches as I find my father standing in front of me. His appearance is more disheveled than usual—his gray hair tussled, black trousers wrinkled, and his tunic’s top buttons are undone. I’ve only ever seen him in his impeccable court clothing. The sight of him looking like an average man jolts me into action.

“Father, what are you doing here?”

“The same could be said for you, Delilah.” His voice demands respect and submission. “Ah, Easton. Of course, wherever Delilah is, so are you.”

Easton takes a step in front of me, his jaw clenching as he spits his next words. “Your Majesty.”

“You have such disdain for someone that gives you everything. Shocking,” my father says coldly.

Taking a step toward him to get his focus off Easton, I say, “We decided to take a camping trip along the river. We’ll be back at the palace in three to four days.”

“Such a pity that you still haven’t learned your lesson yet, Delilah,” he says as deadly as the blade strapped to his waist.

“What lesson would that be?” I dare ask.

“That you are never to lie to your king.”

King. Not father. He never acknowledges that I’m his daughter.

“I’m not lying—”

His face turns red, a vein throbbing in his neck as he screams, “Do not lie to me!” He takes two steps forward, looking down his nose as he glares at me. “Do not disrespect me by lying. Where are you going?” He sneers.

He’s walked so close that my back hits the carriage door. My throat turns dry as I speak. “Easton and I are taking a camping trip.”

“You lying piece of filth!” he barks, striking my face.

My cheek burns as the force of my father’s fist sends stars into my vision. Hit after hit comes as quick as lightning before Easton can reach me.

Silence starts to spread within me as I prepare myself for the onslaught of what’s to come. My father never stops until I’m on the ground or bleeding.

Before my father’s fist falls again, I hear Easton’s growl of rage before he lunges for him, my scream of protest falling on deaf ears. Easton uses all his strength to hit the back of my father’s head with the hilt of his sword. My eyes grow wide in horror as my father doesn’t move an inch.

I’ve trained with Easton all my life. That hit alone could have killed him, yet my father doesn’t so much as flinch.

My father turns, a predator chasing his prey.

Before I can move my father lunges for Easton, repeatedly striking him in the face. The sight sends unbearable pain and hopelessness pounding through my heart. Before he can hit him again, I’m standing in front of Easton, facing my father’s cold and detached face.

“Don’t you lay one more finger on him,” I seethe.

He barks out a laugh. “What did you say?”

I spit at his feet. “I said, don’t lay a finger on him.”

The humor fades from his face, only to be replaced by a cold, detached mask. The look that enters my father’s eyes is what I have nightmares about, the eyes of a monster.

There isn’t even a word I can use to describe it.

It’s just…a look.

The moment the light within him snaps—the switch controlling his monster as the beast within him is revealed, his true self—it’s the moment that part of himself takes over.

Nothing good ever happens when those eyes devoid of life stare at me.

Before anyone can take their next breath, my father’s arm snakes behind me, the corner of my eye catching the reflection of the moon’s light glinting off silver.

I glance down. His knife sheath is empty.

My heart lurches out of its cage as hot liquid sprays my back. A choked gurgle, and the indescribable sound of a thump hitting the ground comes from behind me.

As I turn, my brain is slower than usual to take in what my eyes are seeing. Easton is crumpled on the ground, his clothes covered in crimson blood, his chest unmoving. His throat slit from ear to ear, unseeing eyes gazing toward the night sky.

Anguish grows inside of me, as pain like nothing I have ever felt before cleaves my heart in two. My soul leaves my body in a guttural scream.

He’s not moving.

We were so close to leaving. All he ever wanted to do was leave. He begged me to leave every day. All we needed was ten minutes—ten minutes, and he would have been free.

He’s not breathing.

Each thought passing through my mind makes the hole in my heart grow, my soul scream louder, as the rage becomes an uncontrollable boiling thing inside me.

I turn to my father, my hands shaking with barely restrained anger to find him smiling.

The sadistic man is smiling at killing the person I cherish most in this life.

That smile breaks me.

Taking every single ounce of burning hot fury inside of me, I explode.

My father’s face falls as my body trembles from the force of the blaring roar that leaves me. My soul and heart’s anguished wail blasts from my body as light burns from within me. Wave after wave of unending gold light barrels into my father until it’s the only thing I can see. Panic captures my body as my mind runs havoc.

What just came out of me?

Utter shock has me stumbling backward, tripping over a boot and making me fall to the ground.

Warm liquid seeps into my clothes. I’m horrified to see I’ve landed in a puddle of Easton’s blood, his lifeless body lying beside me.

A whimper tumbles from my mouth. My eyes burn as I rush over to Easton, running my hands over his face.

“No, no, no, no, no,” I weep. “Easton—Easton wake up.” Taking his shoulders, I shake him, screaming. “Wake up! Please wake up!”

I can’t control the sobs that escape me as he doesn’t move.

Taking one last look at those forest green eyes that I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I kiss him, feeling the warmth slowly leave his body as my lips tremble against his forehead.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” My voice cracks as I whisper, “Together forever.”

Rising on wobbly legs, I tumble to the carriage and take as many bags as I can carry.

Not daring to look at Easton one last time in case I shatter, I run as fast as I can to the rowboat, my vision blurring as the unending tears roll down my cheeks. Branches scratch and poke my arms and legs as I sprint through the forest.

A sob leaves my throat as I reach the small white rowboat, bobbing up and down in the water. My hands shake as I dump all the bags inside and untie the rope tethering the boat to the nearest tree.

Weeping as I row, I push myself, not daring to look back. I row until my arms are burning, shaking with exhaustion. I don’t stop until I finally see the fork in the stream that leads to the main river. Not caring anymore as to where I end up, to whether I live or die, I dump the oars in the boat, letting the current choose where to take me as I collapse onto my side.

Sobbing between each wheezing breath, I chant over and over, “Together forever.”